Mityana South Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Lumu has announced plans to meet with the leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP) to discuss the proposed Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, which includes his proposal for the election of the Leader of Opposition.
Lumu made the announcement during a media interview at Parliament on September 9, 2024, stating that he has already consulted with the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), which opposes the proposal and wishes to maintain the current status quo.
“On Friday, I will go to NUP. I wrote to them, but they haven’t yet confirmed. If they confirm, I will inform you; if not, I will still let you know. The purpose of my visit is to consult, as they have the largest majority of MPs here,” Lumu explained.
The MP noted that UPC supported all seven of his propositions and suggested modifications to the election process.
Lumu emphasized that his consultations extend to other stakeholders, particularly political parties. He was scheduled to meet with officials from the Democratic Party (DP), but that meeting has been postponed to Wednesday, September 11, 2024. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, he plans to consult with the People’s Progressive Party Secretariat.
During a plenary session on August 29, 2024, at the Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, Lumu highlighted that the current method of electing the Leader of Opposition (LOP) excludes other opposition parties represented in Parliament. He pointed out that the LOP supervises all opposition parties and selects the shadow cabinet from among them.
Parliament has granted Lumu the mandate to introduce a Private Member’s Bill entitled “The Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024.”
